Type out what you are looking for and we will do our best to help out.
Every year, CBAI recognizes one outstanding member for their valuable and selfless commitment to advancing the principles of community banking at an extraordinary level. This individual’s impressive dedication, leadership and level of involvement are undeniable—and difficult to surpass. This year’s Outstanding Member for 2026 is Kim McKee, president of North Central Bank, Hennepin.
For years, McKee has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to CBAI and the community banking industry, never hesitating to give her time, leadership, resources and, most importantly, her unwavering support to help make community banking stronger.
Active participation in CBAI really began in CBAI’s Career Development Division, where McKee served on the Board before moving into the role of CDD chair. Her CBAI service extends to both boards and countless CBAI committees, including leadership as chair of the Marketing Sub-Committee and the Communications Committee, serving on the CBSC Board since 2020, and on the CBAI Board for seven years, holding the positions of CDD Chair, Group Director and Regional Vice Chair.
The commitment to advancing community banking does not stop with CBAI and CBSC, but extends to the ICBA, where McKee serves on the Consumer Financial Services Subcommittee and serves as one of two ICBA state delegates.
And her service continues to grow. This past year, she joined the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council and recently took on another leadership role as the new Community BancPac chairperson.
To say McKee is a passionate supporter of the Foundation for Community Banking Scholarship Program would be an understatement. When it comes to the Foundation, she never fails to ask, “What more can I do?”—and then always follows through.
North Central Bank, Hennepin, is a Gold-level donor and ranks among the Top 10 highest-contributing CBAI member banks. The bank also holds an annual dress-down fundraiser to support the Foundation. From participating in karaoke events and the Best-Dressed Golf Team contest to hosting a Trivia Night and providing the food for the event, McKee never hesitates to volunteer or support the Foundation’s projects, including convention and other special fundraising events.
Not only has she been extremely generous to the Foundation financially, but her generosity of time and leadership is unparalleled, including serving eight years on the Foundation board and several as the chair, assisting with countless fundraisers and campaigns, and helping to oversee the creation of a Foundation Investment Committee and a Foundation-Owned Life Insurance policy.
With all of her unwavering support for the association, it is no wonder that North Central Bank, Hennepin, has earned the Patron of Community Banking Award 11 times. A Patron Bank has actively contributed to community banking and supported CBAI through nine very specific criteria, including, but not limited to, representation at Capital Conference, Call on Washington, Group Meetings and Convention, CBAI Board or Committee participation, donations to BancPac/FedPac and the Foundation for Community Banking, attendance at a number of education events, and utilization of CBSC services.
A generous personal supporter of both Community BancPac and CBAI FedPac, McKee attends the FedPac baseball game, bringing key members of the bank along as well, and serves on the Pac Auction committee as one of the event’s top contributors. A committed advocate for CBAI’s legislative efforts, she annually attends Capital Conference, Call on Washington, and legislative roundtables—including hosting one – and worked directly with CBAI’s GR staff to help them negotiate the newly enacted mandated reporter law, turning what could have been a potential liability into an opportunity for community banks.
McKee is a tremendous supporter of CBAI’s education programs, encouraging staff participation in numerous seminars, forums and groups. The bank consistently ranks among the top five in its asset category for educational program attendance and has also earned the award for Best-Attended Group Meeting. She, along with other representatives of her bank, makes it a priority to annually attend CBAI’s Convention and Group Meetings.
To honor her many contributions to the profession of community banking during her impressive career, it is CBAI’s honor and privilege to present the 2026 Outstanding Member of the Year to Kim McKee.
